Announcements

21/08/2013:
FilAms Urged to Help Victims of Ferry Tragedy and Floods Caused by Tropical Storm Maring

ANNOUNCEMENTWDC-069-201321 August 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippine Embassy today called on Filipino-Americans to help those affected by the ferry tragedy in Cebu last August 16 and the widespread floods caused by rains brought about by the southwest monsoon and tropical storm Maring.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. is once again appealing to members of the Filipino American community to provide financial assistance and support the relief efforts for the victims of these twin tragedies.

“I wish to call on all Filipino Americans to do what you can to alleviate the suffering of the victims caused by these disasters that took plays just hours apart from each other,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “Let us rally and come to the aid of our kababayans in this time of need.”

The MV St. Thomas Aquinas ferry collided with the Sulpicio cargo ship last Friday in the Mactan Channel, about 2 miles northwest of Cebu City, the capital of Cebu province. The St. Thomas Aquinas was coming from nearby Butuan City, while the Sulpicio was leaving Cebu for Davao. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the number of people confirmed dead is at 55. Another 65 people remain missing, while 750 have been rescued.

Tropical storm Maring first formed last August 17 and was the thirteenth to hit the Philippines this year. According to the National Disaster Reduction and Risk Management Council (NDRRMC), 8 people were reported to have died, 41 injured, and 4 missing. There were also over 600,000 persons affected in the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and National Capital Region.

The torrential rain and floods caused schools, government offices, and financial markets to close. Flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were cancelled due to the bad weather, which also made most of the roads in the low-lying capital region impassable.

Ambassador Cuisia appealed to the generosity of Filipino Americans in the US. He said members of the community can send their monetary donations to the following:

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)Account Name: Department of Social Welfare and DevelopmentAccount Number: 3124-0055-81Bank Address: Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan, Quezon CityContact Numbers: (+632) 931-8101 local 226; mobile phone (+63918) 628-1897Website: www.dswd.gov.ph

For donations to be properly acknowledged by PRC, donors are requested to fax their names, addresses, contact numbers and the bank transaction slip to (+632) 527-0575 or (+632) 404-0979. ###

Join our e-list

Consulate Finder

Ten Philippine Missions throughout the US offer consular services. Each Mission covers a specific geographic region. To find out which Mission can assist you, what the hours of operation are and how to reach it please use our interactive Consulate Finder.